Illinois football kicks off spring workouts

Friday

Mar 25, 2011 at 12:01 AMMar 25, 2011 at 3:56 AM

A 24-point victory in the Texas Bowl and the upcoming schedule loaded with eight home games created excitement surrounding Illinois football. The Illini get off to an early start. Spring workouts run from 7 a.m. to 9:30 on weekdays. The spring game is April 23 in Memorial Stadium, and the Illini look to post back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1989-90.

John Supinie

CHAMPAIGN -- A 24-point victory in the Texas Bowl and the upcoming schedule loaded with eight home games created excitement surrounding Illinois football.

The Illini get off to an early start. Spring workouts run from 7 a.m. to 9:30 on weekdays. The spring game is April 23 in Memorial Stadium, and the Illini look to post back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1989-90.

Q: Who picks up the slack with the departure of RB Mikel Leshoure?

A: Although senior-to-be Jason Ford has apparently lost weight and awaits the shot to take over at running back, a balanced offense would benefit the Illini. The Illini ranked 10th in the Big Ten and 111th in the nation while averaging 151 yards passing per game last season.

Sophomore quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase is expected to take more of a leading role as a second-year starter, and the young receiver corps is nevertheless experienced after playing freshmen in crunch time late last season. Senior receiver A.J. Jenkins looks for a big year after 50 receptions last season. Sophomores Darius Millines, Ryan Lankford and Spencer Harris made an early impression, and sophomore tight end Evan Wilson is a star in the making.

Offensive coordinator Paul Petrino leaned last season on Leshoure, who set the single-season school record with 1,697 yards rushing, one of the six school records he set or tied. In the six seasons under coach Ron Zook, the Illini lead the Big Ten by averaging 204 yards rushing per game. By shedding weight to the mid-220s, Ford likely improved his burst and stamina.

Coaches remained confident junior tackle Corey Lewis will play this fall after reinjuring the same knee that kept him out last season. Elsewhere, the Illini may have starting experience at the other four positions. Expect Jeff Allen to start at tackle, Hugh Thorton and Jack Cornell the first-stringers at guard and Graham Pocic back at center.

A player to watch is redshirt freshman Michael Heitz, the Table Grove VIT grad who caught coaches attention last season.

Q: After a big jump on defense last season, how do things shake out this spring?

A: The transition appears bigger on defense, where coordinator Vic Koenning worked some magic last season (despite allowing 67 points at Michigan).

With defensive tackle Corey Liuget gone to the NFL, watch redshirt freshmen Jake Howe and Austin Teitsma, a pair of high-motor guys. Along with sophomore Akeem Spence, they would give the Illini three players for the two positions. Glenn Foster could slide from defensive tackle to defensive end. Redshirt freshman Houston Bates is expected to push for playing time at bandit.

Without Martez Wilson, freshman linebacker Jonathan Brown is a playmaker who saw plenty of early action in the bowl game, and safety Trulon Henry is expected to shift to linebacker. In the defensive backfield, the Illini return three starters. Tavon Wilson started last season at safety but wanted to return to cornerback. Will he trade spots with cornerback Terry Hawthorne?

Q: Where can the Illini improve special teams?

A: Derek Dimke enjoyed a nearly perfect season at placekicker last fall, tying the school record with 24 field goals while missing only five. Incoming freshman Justin DuVernois, a scholarship recruit, is expected to earn the job at punter after arriving in June.

The Illini need more of a threat on returns. Everyone would like to see Hawthorne returning kicks and/or punts after a stress fracture in his foot reduced his workload all last season.

Q: How does the schedule set up for the Illini?

A: With eight home games for the first time in modern history, Illinois doesn't leave home for the first five games, then head to Indiana in week 6. So a 6-0 start heading into the homne game against Ohio State isn't out of the question. Avoiding Nebraska, Iowa and Michigan State doesn't hurt either as the league goes to two six-team divisions with the conference title game in Indianapolis.

If the Illini keep improving, expect head coaching offers for Petrino and more teams looking at Koenning.

NOTE: Spring practices and scrimmages are open to the public. Practices are held in Memorial Stadium, the indoor facility or the grass practice field east of the stadium.